Selector arrangement



oct. 1o, 192.3.. F. MERK 1,929,501

SELECTOR ARRANGEMENT Original Filedllay 18. 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l HwEDR/CHMERK s@ MQW Oct. 1o, 1933. F. MERK 1,929,507

S ELECTOR ARRANGEMENT Original Filed May 18, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FR/EDR/CH MERK @3, Maw

glQj' separate selectors.

` Patentedv Oct. 10, 1933 y v 1,929,507 n e SELECTOR ARRANGEMENT e Friedrich Merk, y'Frankfort-otl-the-ll:sin,

" Germany @pacman-May 1s, 1932, serial No.v 612,123,

and in Germany May 18,

In my prior Patenty No. 1,789,489 dated Jan. 2o, 1931 there is kdescribed an arrangement f or selectors with flat bank multiple, wherein the separate banks of the -flat bank multiple are held together `,51; by a plurality of transverse supporting members divided l. over e their length. These` vsupporting members at `the same time serve to guide'the switch members of guide bearings for the setting mechanisms of the It has now been found that in this arrangement in which the setting mechanisms are supported by separate bars, variations may occur as regards their adjustment relatively to the switch members which reduce the security ilnoperation. 'lfhe invention has for L,its object to improve the supportingof the switch members, and the setting mechanisms in a manner which favors the security in operationand the convenient manipulation of the parts.

This is obtained in that to the lower longitudinal side of the flat bank multiple there are rigidly connected by `means of thesupporting members supporting bearings for the setting mechanisms of the separate yselectors from which vj; bearings the setting mechanisms are suspended.

The flat bank multiple is constitutedby a very, large n support of large .f mass inertia which is not subjected either to mechanical oscillationsV or to bending moments. By the ?y rigid 'connection of the supporing bearings for the setting mechanismto this support there is obtained an accurate adjustment of thesetting mechanism relatively to the separate switch members which remains constant, while at the i; same time the vibrations whichoccur when operating a selector are prevented from being transmitted to the adjacent selector and thus giving rise to disturbing noises.

An example of constructionis illustrated in '40j the accompanying drawingawhereinz- Figures 1 and2 `showcomplete views` of a selectorgroupvin front and side elevationrespcctively. n

Figures 3 to 5- show a suspension device `for the settingmechanism ofy a selector, and. Y i

Figures 6 to 9 show a movable stop for the switch member of aselector and a device for automatically coupling the switchmember to the setting mechanism in various positions'. 1

j InFigure 1, F indicates a fiat'bank'multip composedinftheknown manner of `ve partial banks. The ilat bank multiple is erected on a beam support 26which is providedwith bearings for securing itin a framework. 'I'he partial banks .land the support 26 are rigidly connected the separate selectors and as.

12 and guide pins 13r 1931. Renewed July 11 claims; (01179427.53)

at the front and rear side bytransverse ivertical) bars 27 and form aheavywrigid block. yThis blockmust support the load of the settingr mechanisms W and `the switch members S. i Suspension members ,39, secured tothe transversebars 27V or the: 60 beam support 26 to form the supports. y The uni-V form distribution and construction of the suspension members 39 affords a uniforrndistribution of the load and uniform spacing for all the supporting points of the settingmechanisms VV relatively to the bank multipleF. g The great :ril gidity and mass inertia ofthe blocky affords security that the unavoidable vibrations which occur when operating the separate settingv mechanisms are not transmitted to the adjacent setting meohanisms and their switch members. 'The su'spen-` y sion members 39 project outwardly foinkboth sidesof the bank multiple F, as shown in Figure 2, to such; an extent` that underneath the beam carrier there is formed a large space of suitablev 'I5 dimensions for the reception of accessories for the selectors (raising devices K, plug contact bars for thesetting mechanism W and so forth) As in these parts it does not depend on the uniform distribution of load relatively to the bank multiple, these are `secured to supports 15 and 16 which are solely held at'their ends by suspension bars 17 on the beam carrier26.l g V n ,Between the ltransverse bars4 27 of the bank 85 multiple are locatedgthe contact elds 28. Corresponding switch members S are formedas slides.A Each slide consists of an elongated base plate` 11 with ve sets of Abrushes 14 secured thereto. The contact` springs of the sets of brushes lie with vtheir free 'ends in .front .of openings 23 of the base plate 1,1 and move over the contact groups 28 ofthe partial banks in so far as the sets 0f brushes-are released for forming contact in the known manner by alocking lmember not shown. The slides are movable up and downin guideY members 29 which are formed on the bars 27.

- InFigurel 1 the two slides shown atthe lefthand end are in the-highest positien'correspond-` ing with the raised position. During the downward movement of the slides,- which are controlled by the corresponding settingmechanismV W; there-is rst effected a selectionk of the brush i set for the ,desired contact group `and thereupony movement o ver the` contacts takesplace in the` group under consideration. For. connection with the setting mechanismW the slides 11 4are pro-- vided at the lower end with a forwardly projecting coupling projection y38.H In the case ofthe thirdY slide from the left Figure lfthe setting 119 mechanism is removed and thus the support for the slide by the setting mechanism is withdrawn.

The slide has consequently slid downwardly and has engaged by afstop 18 with a catch lever 19 mounted on the corresponding suspension member 39. Y

Of the parts combined on a base plate 30 of the setting mechanisms W there come into con-v sideration for explaining the invention solely the devices for suspending the setting mechanisms and for ysetting and coupling the slides.

The suspension device is located at the upper end on the rear side of the base plate 30 and, according to Figures 3 to 5, consists of a horizontal supporting beam 20 and a setting lever 2l. The supporting beam 20 is loosely held by a set screw 22 passing through a slot in the base plate. The rounded ends of the supporting beam which extend somewhat beyond the side edges of the 20 base plate effect the supporting of the setting mechanism in the lsaid suspension members 39. The setting mechanisms are inserted in an inclined position between two suspension members w39 and are then rocked into the vertical position whereby the bar 16 (Figure 1) at the lower end serves as a stop and the pins 13 as a guide. The mounting in the suspension members 39 is made so narrow that each suspension member can ybe' used for supporting two adjacent setting mechanisms. This method of supporting is recommended in view of the close arrangement of the setting mechanisms and slides and by reason of the open arrangement which is capable of easy supervision.

The setting lever 21 rotatably mounted on a securing screw 24 on the base plate above the supporting beam 20, is provided with an eccentrically shaped curved portion about the pivot.

,When the setting mechanism is mounted in position its weight presses the setting lever 21 with its eccentrically shaped portion against the supporting beam 2O which by reason of its loose mounting at the middle of the base plate always 1 engages horizontally in the suspension members. By turning the setting lever 21 in one direction or the other the setting mechanism together with the coupled slide 11 can be raised or lowered through a predetermined amount relatively to the q supporting beam mounted in a stationary position. In this manner the brush springs 14 of the slide 11 can be adjusted (centered) accurately relatively to the middle of the contact blades of the banky multiple. When the correct setting has been 'obtained the setting lever, by tightening the `l securing-screw 24, is clamped to the base plate 30'- In this manner the centering of the brush sets of the slides which has once been'eifected always takes' place automatically in an unchangeable manner after any removal and replacing.

Go For controlling the movement of the Slidell there is provided a rack 32 movable on'the base plate 30 in the longitudinal direction thereof. Thelrack is guided at its upper and lower ends A in slotsV of the base plate (Figure 1) by means of bearing members 25 capable of sliding on the rack. Above the upper bearing member (Figure 6) the rack is provided with a notch 40 with which the said coupling projection 38 of a slide 11 engages during operation and connects the Y slide to the rack, so that both parts always move together. The weight of the slide 11` and of the rack 32 supplies the driving force for the downwardly directed setting movement of the slide.

,- A pawl 35 engaging with ratchet teeth 34 (Figure 2) preventsr movement until an electro mag- H37 which engages with driving teeth 36 of the net 33 disengages the pawl from the rack. By' short or long energizations of the electro magnet the rack and the slide can be released for longer or shorter falling distances. A centrifugal brake bo rack and which rotates during the downward movement thereof controls, in the case of lengthy movements, the speed of the rack and of the slide.

The movements of the rack and of the slide are as a whole limited to a predetermined falling height adapted to the conditions. When the parts have 'reached the lower end they must again be raised into the initial position. This is effected by the lifting device K mounted separately in the back of each setting member. This lifting device consists of a known piston motor of suitable length of stroke connected to a compressed air pipe 31. The piston motors K are arranged underneath the slides at such a distance that the slides when reaching their lowest position bear with their 'weight on the piston rod of the corresponding motor. By the load thus applied to the motor a reversal of valves is effected mechanically, whereby compressed air is allowed to flow into the lower chamber of the cylinder. The compressed air raises the piston, which by means of its rod returns the slide 11 and the rack 32 coupled `thereto into the initial position, whereupon the piston at the end of its stroke by reversing the valves cuts off the supply of air and thus completes the lifting movement. The slide and rack are held by the pawl 35, while the piston under the action of its weight moves downwardly.

The provision of the piston motors'K renders it necessary, as above described to receive the 110 slide by a stop above its lowest position when releasing a setting mechanism W from its slide 1l. Figure 6 shows the connection of a slide 11 and a setting mechanism before the release of the latter. The connection is produced by the coupling projection 38 engaging with the notch 40 of the rack 32. The base plate 30 of the setting mechanism thus presses with its back in such a manner against the lever 19, mounted on the suspension member 39, that its upper end is located outside the path ofthe stop 18 provided on the slide. The slide can thus be moved upwardly and downwardly in any suitable manner. If now, as shown in Figure "I, the setting mechanism is rocked in the direction ofthe arrow and removed the catch lever 19, under the action of a spring, is rocked while at the same time the coupling projection is disengaged from the rack. By the latter operation the slide loses its hold and falls downwardly until the stop 18 meets the lever 19. The position 130 now assumed by the slide corresponds with that of the third slide from the left in Figure 1. As shown the slide is at some distance from the piston motor, so that it cannot operate this.

It will now be shown how when reinserting the 135 setting mechanism the automatic coupling of the slide 11 with the rack 32 of the setting mechanism takes place. Figure 8 shows the position of the parts at the moment as the setting mechanism has again been rocked in the opposite direction to 140 the arrow. The base plate 30 of the setting mechanism is adjusted at the moment of again releasing the slide by pressing back the lever 19. However, before this occurs the upper bearing member 25 of the rack has already come in front 145 of the coupling projection 38, so that on the release of the slide this falls down on the bearing member and on vfurther rocking or the setting mechanism engages automatically with the notch 40 of the rack. Figure 9 shows the end position 150 oi?v the operation invwhich the slide Ythe drive ing mechanism is again coupled correctly and the catch lever isf moved entirelyout rof* vtherangev of" ,theslidestopfV' l'. A iiatbank multiple for selectors, said-selectors each consisting of a movableswitch mem-y ber and ajjsetting mechanism for moving said switch member, said iiat bank multiple compris-v` ing al plurality of superpesed` partial banks, transverse supporting members y distributed o verthe length of theV partial banksandat 1the Sametime providing guide bearings for the movable switchv members, said supporting members being rigidly connected to saidpartial Y bearingsV for the setting mechanisms atthe lower longitudinal side ofthe flat 'bank multiple.

' 2; A iiat bank multiple for selectors, said selectors each consisting 'cfa'J movable switch member, v and a setting mechanism for moving said switch member, said iiat bank multipleV comprising ar plurality of superposed partial banks, transverse supporting members ydistributed over theV length of thepartial Abanks'and constructed as guide bearings fory the movable switch members, said supporting members being rigidly connected to the partial banks, and a supporting beam on theA lower longitudinal side of the iiat bank multiple,

said supporting beam having supporting bearings r,for the setting mechanisms.

3. A iiat bank multiple for selectors, said selectors each consisting of a movable switch member,

and a setting mechanism for moving said switch member, said iiat bank multiple comprising a plu- `rality of superposed 'partial banks, transverse supvporting members distributed over the length of the ypartial banks and constructed as guide bearings for lthe movable switch members, said supporting'niembers being rigidly connected to the `partial banks, and a supporting beam on `the 'lower longitudinal side of theiiat bank multiple,

said supporting beam being rigidly connected to thesupporting members, said supporting beam having supporting bearings for the setting mechanisms, and bearings for securing the flat bank "multiple in a frame. f

4. A flatbank multiple for selectors, said selectors each consisting of a movable switch-member and a setting mechanism for moving said switch memben said iiat bank multiple comprising a 'plurality of superposed partial banks, transverse supporting membersdistributedover the length of the partial banks and at the same timeY forming guide bearings for the movable switch members, said supporting members being rigidly con- ^-nected to said partial bank, thelower ends of said supporting members being provided with supporting bearings for the setting mechanisms.

5. A at bank multiple for selectors, said selectors veach consisting of a movable switch member, and a setting mechanism for moving said' switch member, said flat bank multiple comprising a plurality of superposed partial banks, transverse supporting members distributed over the l, length of the partial banks and constructed as guide bearings for the movable switch members, said supporting members being rigidly connected to the lpartial banks, a supporting beam at'the lower longitudinal side of the at bank multiple rigidly connected to the supporting members, and

supporting bearings for the setting mechanisms',

said supporting bearings being provided at the securing points of the supporting members to the beam. V

6. A iiat bank multiple for selectors,`said selectors each consisting of a movable switch membanks, and vsuppvorting" ing a plurality of superposed partial'banks, transversesupporting-members"distributed over ther length of the partialbanks and constructed as guide -bearingsfor the movable'switch members,`

said supporting members being rigidly connected ber, anda setting mechanism for :moving saidv switch member, said flat bank-multiple compristo the partial "banks, and supporting'bearings for the setting mechanisms at the lower longitudinal side of the flat bank multipla-these supporting bearings including-amovable lever, a spring actingon the lever for moving one of its ends in a direction towardsl the'` switch member, this lever being lcckedin its movement by the setting member in the set position and releasedon withdrawingthesettingemechanism. I A V 7. A iiat bank multiple for selectors, `said selectors each consisting of a movableswitch member carrying at .its lower end a stop, anda setting mechanism for moving the switch .member, 'said flat bank multiple comprising a plurality of superposed partial banks, transverse supporting members distributed over the length `of the partial banks and Aat the same time formed `as guide bearings for the switch members, said supporting members being rigidly connected to the partial banks, and supporting bearings for the setting mechanisms on said supporting members, said i supporting bearings including a two armed mov-l able lever, a spring acting on said lever for moving one of its ends in front of the stop of the switch member, said lever in its movement being locked by the setting mechanism acting on the mechanism is applied, said ilat bank multipleV comprising a pluralityl of superposed partial banks, transverse supporting members distributed over the length of the partial banks and formed as guide bearings for the switch members, said supporting members being rigidly connected to `the partial banks, and supporting members for the setting mechanisms on said supporting members, said supporting bearingsincluding a double armed movable lever, a spring acting on said lever for moving one of its ends in front of the projection of the switch memberforming a stop for the switch member, said lever in its movement being locked by the setting mechanism acting on the other end of said lever and releasing said u mechanism when it is withdrawn, 'the said setting mechanism actuating the lever when being applied only when the coupling device of the setting mechanism is ready forengagement with the coupling device of the switch member.

9. A flat bank multiple for selectors, said selectors each consisting of, a movable switch niember and a setting' mechanism for moving said switch member, said fiat bank multiple comprising a plurality of superposed partial banks, transverse supporting members distributed over the length of the partial banks and at the same time formed as guide bearings for the movable switch members, said supporting members being rigidly connected to said partial banks, and supporting bearings for the setting mechanisms at the lower ends of said supporting members, each guide bearing and each supporting bearing being common to two adjacent selectors-` 10. A selector consisting of a movable switch member carrying at its lower end a coupling device, a setting mechanism for moving the switch member consisting ofV a stationary and a movable part, the stationary part carrying at its upper end a suspension device, the movable part carrying at its upper end a coupling device, and a flat bank multiple comprising a plurality of superposed partial banks, transverse supporting members distributed over the length of the partial banks and formed as guide bearings for the switch members, said supporting members being connected to the partial banks, and supporting bearings at the lower ends of the supporting members for the reception of Vthe suspension device for the setting mechanisms, said suspension device being movable and suitably adjustable relatively to the stationary part of the setting mechanism.

11. A selector consisting of a movable switch member carrying at its lower end a coupling device, a setting mechanism for moving the switch member consisting of a stationary and a movable part, the stationary part carrying at its upper end a suspension device, the movable part carrying at its upper end a coupling device, said coupling device being constructed for co-operation with the coupling device of the movable switch member, and a fiat bank multiple comprising a plurality of superposed partial banks, transverse supporting members distributed over the length of the partial banks and formed as guide bearings for the switch members, said supporting members being connected to the partial banks, and supporing bearings at the lower ends of the supporting members for the reception of the suspension device for the setting mechanisms, said suspension device comprising a two armed beam secured in an elongated slot of the stationary part of the setting mechanism, and of an eccentric intermediate member secured to the stationary part of the setting mechanism and limiting the movement of said beam in the elongated slot.

FRIEDRICH MERK. 

